Exercise assisting apparatus

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a method and apparatus for assisting the movement of a user during exercise. The apparatus comprises a base member and a support member having first and second ends rotatably connected to the base member at the first end and being resiliently bendable between said first and second ends. The apparatus further includes a lock for fixing the first end of the support member at an initial position relative to the base member at a locked angle, wherein the support member is adapted to resiliently bend when a force is applied to it by the user. The met comprises resiliently bending the support member between the first and second ends such that the second end is oriented to a second position in response to receiving force applied by the user and resiliently unbending the support member to the first position so as to assist in lifting the user to an initial position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to exercise equipment in general, and in particular to a method and apparatus for assisting the exercise movement of a user.

2. Description of Related Art

Exercise is known to be beneficial to the health and well-being of people. However due to injury or lack of physical fitness, many people are not able to perform many types of common exercises. In particular, sit ups are known to be difficult for many people due to the strain that such an exercise may put on the lower back of the individual. This is particularly true in the case of individuals having injuries to their lower back and/or a general lack of physical fitness. It is also known that such lower back injuries are common.

A sit up typically comprises the exerciser placing their buttocks and feet on a flat level surface such as a ground or exercise mat. The user may then cyclically raise and lower their torso in a rotational movement about their hips so as to alternate between positions in which their torso is upright and in which their torso is adjacent to the flat horizontal surface.

One difficulty that users may experience in performing a sit up is that they may lack sufficient abdominal strength to raise their body to the substantially upright position. Additionally, some users may have injuries to their lower back which may limit the amount of force that their abdominal muscles may exert during the course of such a movement. For such individuals, it is necessary to reduce the amount of force required to be exerted by their abdominal muscles to perform the sit up. Prior exercise equipments have not sufficiently addressed this issue by reducing the effort required by the user's abdominal muscles to perform a sit up.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

What is disclosed is a method and apparatus for assisting the movement of a user. The present invention utilizes a bendable member for supporting a portion of the body during the exercise movement. The present invention will provide greater support to the back of a user during exercise, such as for example, during a sit-up by resiliently conforming to the back of the user during the exercise.

According to a first embodiment of the present invention there is disclosed an apparatus for assisting the movement of a user during exercise. The apparatus comprises a base member and a support member having first and second ends, rotatably connected to the base member at the first end and being resiliently bendable between said first and second ends. The apparatus further includes a lock for fixing the first end of the support member at a set angle relative to the base member at a locked angle, wherein the support member is adapted to resiliently bend when a force is applied to it by the user.

The support member may be rotatably connected to the base member about an axis of rotation. The apparatus may further comprise a shaft secured to one of the support member or the base member rotatable within a support block of the other of the support member or the base member for rotation about the axis.

The lock may further comprise a clamp secured to the bushing for selectively clamping the shaft so as to prevent rotation between the base member and the support member. The clamp may comprise a plurality of flexible fingers surrounding the shaft being adapted to be biased into frictional contact with the shaft. The plurality of flexible fingers may be biased by a cam ring. The damp may further comprise a compressible collar surrounding the shaft, wherein the compressible collar has a tensioner adapted to shorten the compressible collar so as to grip the shaft. The tensioner may comprise a lever operated cam. The compressible collar may bear upon the plurality of flexible fingers.

The lock may further comprise an indexed collar surrounding the shaft and secured to one of the shaft or support block. The indexed collar may be adapted to selectively engage a corresponding indexed surface secured to the other of the shaft or the support block. The indexed collar may be secured to the shaft. The indexed collar may comprise projections adapted to engage corresponding notches in the indexed surface.

The support member may comprise a cantilever spring adapted to support a portion of the body of the user. The support member may comprise a substantially planar member. The support member may have a substantially constant modulus of bending elasticity between the first and second ends. The support member may have a greater modulus of bending elasticity proximate to the first end. The support member may have a greater modulus of bending elasticity proximate to the second end.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention there is disclosed a method for assisting the movement of a user during exercise. The method comprises providing a support member having first and second ends and rotatably orienting the support member at a first position such that the first end is fixed at an angle of inclination relative to horizontal. The method further comprises resiliently bending the support member between the first and second ends such that the second end is oriented to a second position in response to receiving force applied by the user and resiliently unbending the support member to the first position so as to assist in lifting the user to an initial position. The method may also include rotatably fixing the support member relative to a base member with a lock.

Other aspects and features of the present invention will become apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the following description of specific embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In drawings which illustrate embodiments of the invention wherein similar characters of reference denote corresponding parts in each view,

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an apparatus for assisting movement of a user during exercise according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the lock apparatus of FIG. 1 taken along the line 3-3 with the camming handle removed.

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the lock apparatus of FIG. 3 according to an another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of an alternative lock apparatus for the apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of the apparatus for assisting movement of a user during exercise according to a further embodiment of the present invention having a button release lock apparatus.

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of the lock apparatus of FIG. 6 taken along the line 7-7.

FIG. 8 is a side elevation view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 with the support member rotated to be proximate to the base member.

FIG. 9 is a side elevation view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 with the support member rotated to an initial position for use during exercise by a user.

FIG. 10 is a side elevation view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 with the support member bent during use by a user with the user not shown.

FIG. 11 is an exploded cross sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 8 taken along the line 11-11 showing a weighted insert.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 11, an apparatus for assisting a movement of a user according to a first embodiment of the invention is shown generally at 10. The apparatus 10 comprises a base member 12 and an support member 40 rotatably connected to the base member.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the base member 12 comprises a substantially rectangular planar member having distal and proximate ends 14 and 16, respectively, and first and second sides 18 and 20, respectively. It will also be appreciated that the base member may also have other shapes such as, oval, circular, triangular, u-shaped by way of non-limiting example. The proximate end 16 of the base member includes a support block 22 supporting the support member 40 therein. The first and second sides 18 and 20 may have apertures 24 proximate thereto for receiving the hands of a user. The apertures 24 may be utilized as handles for carrying the apparatus 10 or for performing other exercises as discussed further below.

The support member 40 comprises a planar member having first and second ends 42 and 44, respectively, and first and second sides 46 and 48, respectively. The support member 40 comprises a semi-rigid resilient member having a modulus of bending elasticity such that the support member 40 may bend between the first and second ends 42 and 44 as further described below. As illustrated, the support member 40 has a substantially rectangular outline defined by the first and second ends 42 and 44 and first and second sides 46 and 48. It will be appreciated, however that other shapes of the support member 40 may also be useful, such as, by way of non-limiting example, square, triangular, u-shaped or actuate.

The support member 40 is rotatably connected to the support block 22 of the base member 12 and is rotatable about axis 50. The apparatus 10 also includes a lock apparatus 60 for locking the inclination angle between the base member 12 and the first end 42 of the support member 40 as indicated generally at 58. The support member may optionally include a depression 52 or groove extending from the first end 42 substantially to the second end 44 in a top surface 54 of the support member. As illustrated the depression 52 extends substantially perpendicularly from the first end 42 of the support member. The depression 52 is adapted to receive the spine of a user during some forms of exercise as further described below.

Turning now to FIG. 2, an exploded view of the apparatus 10 of FIG. 1 is illustrated. The first end 42 of the support member 40 includes at least two spaced apart suspending blocks 62 for spacing a shaft 64 apart from the first end 42 of the support member 40. As illustrated, the base member may have first second and third support blocks 66, 68 and 70, respectively having spaces therebetween for receiving the suspending blocks 62. The first second and third support blocks 66, 68 and 70 have a continuous bore 72 therethrough aligned with the axis 50. The bore 72 includes bearings, bushings, journals or other suitable anti-friction means and receives the shaft 64 such that the support member 40 is rotatable relative to the base member 12 about the axis 50.

The third support block 70 also includes a plurality of biased fingers 74 extending therefrom so as to surround the bore 72 adjacent to the first side 18 of the base member 12. The biased fingers include threading on an external face thereof. In the present embodiment, the lock apparatus 60 comprises the biased fingers 74 and a camming handle or cam ring 80. The camming handle 80 includes an outer gripping surface 82 and a threaded blind bore 84 (illustrated in FIG. 3). The threaded blind bore 84 cooperate with the threading on the biased fingers 74 to urge the biased fingers racially inward upon the shaft 64 as the camming handle 80 rotated in a direction so as to move it towards the third support block 70.

Turning to FIG. 3, the camming handle 80 is illustrated in a cross-sectional view adjacent to the biased fingers 74 and shaft 64. The threaded blind bore 84 have a larger circumference proximate to an open end 86 of the threaded blind bore 84 than at a closed end 88 of the threaded blind bore. Optionally as illustrated in FIG. 4, t he threaded blind bore 84 may have a constant circumference while the biased fingers 74 have a lesser thickness at a free distal end 90 than they do at an fixed end 92 proximate to the third support block 70. It will be appreciated that other methods of biasing fingers towards the shaft 64 may also be used, such as for example, a hose clamp or quick-release type fitting as illustrated in FIG. 5.

The quick release grip 100 illustrated in FIG. 5 includes a slotted collar 102 affixed to the third support block 70 and surrounding the shaft 64. The slotted 10 collar 102 includes at least one axial slot 103 so as to permit the slotted collar to have a variable circumference. As illustrated the shaft 64 may include splines 65 on if s outer surface for engagement with corresponding grooves 104 on an inner surface of the slotted collar 102. The splines 65 and grooves assist in fixing rotation between the shaft 64 and the slotted collar 102 when the quick release grip 100 is tightened. It will be appreciated that other embodiments of the present invention may also include similar splines, ridges or other means to enhance the ability of the band, biased fingers or other means to grip the shaft. The quick release grip 100 includes a band 106 surrounding the slotted collar 102. The band 106 includes an opening 108 bridged by a bolt 110 or other suitable means. The bolt 110 is secured to a first side 112 of the opening 108 and has a rotatable lever on a second side 114 of the opening. A lever actuated cam 116 is rotatably connected to the bolt 110 so as to bear against and urge the first and second sides 112 and 114 of the opening 108 towards each other when the lever actuated cam 116 is rotated in a direction generally indicated at 118.

Turning now to FIG. 6, an alternative embodiment of the present invention is Illustrated wherein the apparatus 10 includes a push button locking apparatus 120. The push button locking apparatus 120 includes a button 122 extending from the third support block 70 along the axis 50. The button 122 may be utilized to selectively engage and disengage the locking apparatus to adjust the inclination angle 58 between the support member 40 and the base member 12. As illustrated in cross-section in FIG. 7, the shaft 64 includes an end flange 124 having a first mating surface 126 disposed away from the button 122. The button is connected to a collar 128 that is contained within a cavity 130 in the third support block 70. The collar 128 is rotationally fixed within the cavity 130 through the use of splines, axial groves or other suitable means on the inside wall 131 of the cavity engaging with corresponding splines, groves or ridges on the collar 128. The collar 128 surrounds the end flange 124 of the shaft 64 and includes an internal flange 132 having a second mating surface 134 disposed towards the first mating surface 126 of the shaft 64.

The internal flange 132 is biased towards the end flange 124 by a spring 136. The button 122 may be actuated by a user in a direction indicated at 138 so as to disengage the second mating surface 134 from the first mating surface 126. When the second mating surface 134 is disengaged from the first mating surface 126, the shaft 64 may be freely rotated relative to the third support block 70 so as to permit the support member 40 to be freely rotated relative to the base member 12. When the user releases the button 122, the spring 136 urges the second mating surface 134 into engagement with the first mating surface 126 so as to restrict rotation therebetween thereby preventing the shaft 64 from rotating relative to the third support block 70. Optionally, the first mating surface 126 of the shaft 64 may have radial grooves adapted to engage corresponding grooves on the second mating surface 134 of the collar 128. These radial grooves may optionally be bevel or crown gears, or other suitable means of interlocking the first and second mating surfaces 126 and 134.

In operation, the apparatus may be adjusted such that the support member 40 is adjacent to the base portion 12 such that there is inclination angle 58 of 0 degrees therebetween as illustrated in FIG. 8. In this arrangement, the apparatus 10 is suitable for carrying or storage. When a user wishes to use the apparatus, the user may unlock the locking apparatus 60 described above to permit the support member 40 to freely rotate relative to the base member 12. The user may unlock the locking apparatus by pushing the button 122 illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, by rotating the camming handle away from the third support block 70 of FIGS. 1 through 4, or by rotating the lever actuated cam 116 of FIG. 5. The user may then position the support member 40 to a desired inclination angle 58 as illustrated in FIG. 9 and locking the locking apparatus 60 by the reverse action as described above.

During exercise, a user may apply a portion of their body to the support member 40, such as, for example a portion of their back during a sit-up. In such an exercise, the user places apparatus behind their back on a surface on which they are sitting. The user may then lean back so as to bring their back into contact with the support member 40. As the user applies more of their body weight to the support member 40 it will begin to bend as illustrated in FIG. 10. When the user has reached the bottom of their sit-up movement, they may begin to return to their initial position. During this portion of the movement, the support member 40 will provide a force to the back of the user so as to assist them in returning to their initial position. As illustrated in FIG. 10, the inclination angle 58 as set by the user does not vary for the first end 42 of the support member 40 during this exercise. Rather, the first end 42 of the support member remains rotationally fixed relative to the base member 12 while the support member bends. It will also be appreciated that other types of exercises may be performed with the current apparatus as well.

The amount at which the support member 40 bends may be adjusted by selecting different types and thicknesses of materials. For example, where it Is desired to have a stiffer support member 40, a material having a higher modulus of elasticity or by forming the support member 40 in a thicker shape so as to provide the support member 40 with a higher bending spring constant. For example, the support member may be constructed of fibreglass, plastics, natural or synthetic rubbers or metals, such as hardened steel, for example. It has been found that fibreglass is particularly useful. It will also be appreciated that the support member 40 may have a core of a hardened metal with an outer coating of a softer material to cushion the contact with the users body. Such cushioning material may be selected from any known cushioning material such as natural or synthetic rubber, plastic, fabric or foam rubbers, for example.

It will also be appreciated that the support member 40 may have a constant or variable spring constant between the first and second ends 42 and 44. As illustrated in FIGS. 8 through 10, the support member may have a thickness that is greatest proximate to the first end 42 and thinner proximate to the second end 44. It will be appreciated that for a support member 40 constructed of a solid material, this will result in a higher spring constant proximate to the first end 42 that reduces proximate to the second end 44. It will therefore be appreciated that the support member 40 could also be formed having a greater thickness proximate to the second end 44 so as to have a greater spring constant proximate to the second end as well.

It will be appreciated that the inclination angle 58 to which the support member is initially set will also affect the amount of assistance provided to the user during the exercise movement. This is due to the fact that at higher inclination angles 58, the user will contact the support member 40 earlier in their movement and will therefore bend the support member 40 to a greater degree during the exercise movement. Due to, the support member 40 being bent to a greater amount, it will apply a greater force to return the user to their initial position due to Hooke's Law. The inclination angle 58 may be adjustable between a range of angles so as to accommodate a greater or lesser amount of assistance to the user. It has been found that a range of the inclination angle 58 of between 0 and 135 degrees will be useful wherein an initial angel of 0 degrees will correspond to a folded or compact storage position as illustrated in FIG. 8. In particular, it has been found that an inclination angle of between 45 and 90 degrees will be particularly useful.

It will be appreciated that the inclination angle 58 will advantageously have a plurality of possible angles that it may be located at so as to permit the user to select one of a plurality of difficulty levels. By way of non-limiting example, the apparatus 10 may be orientable such that the inclination angle 58 is selected from 45, 50, 55, 60 or 75 degrees by way of non-limiting example. It will be appreciated that the angles selected will depend on the level of assistance required by the intended user. In addition, as described above, the first mating surface 126 may have radial grooves engaging corresponding radial grooves on the second mating surface 134 of the collar 128. It will be appreciated that each set of grooves on the first and second mating surfaces 126 and 134 may correspond to a potential desired inclination angle 58. Optionally, the first end 42 of the support member 40 may include a pointer 140 adapted to selectively align with one of a plurality of angle indicators 142 on the support block 22 as illustrated in FIG. 1. As illustrated the pointer 140 will align with a unique angle indicator 142 when the support member 40 is oriented at a corresponding unique inclination angle 58.

Although the above embodiments of the present invention are described as being used to assist the movement of a user during a sit-up, it will be appreciated that other forms of exercise may also be performed with these embodiments. In particular, it will be appreciated that a user may utilize the present apparatus for assisting the user in performing a push-up by placing the apparatus below their chest such that the support member 40 is bent by the user's chest when the user lowers their body. The support member 40 may then assist the user in returning to an initial position. In addition, it will be appreciated that a user may utilize the present apparatus to provide resistance to a plurality of exercise. By way of non-limiting example, a user may locate the apparatus 10 between their hands so as to place one hand on the support member 40 and one hand on the base member 12. The user may then compress the apparatus 10 between their hands so as to bend the support member 40. It will be appreciated that a wide variety of other similar exercises may be performed in a similar manner.

The apparatus 10 may also include a rotatable leg 160 rotatably extending from the proximate end 16 of the base member 12. The leg 160 may be rotated in direction 162 so as to be substantially vertical with respect to a surface supporting the apparatus 10. In such a configuration the first end 42 of the support member 40 will be raised so as to permit additional exercises to be performed.

Turning to FIG. 12, a cross sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 8 is illustrated having a weighted insert 150. The insert may comprise a plate having parallel side edges 152 each having a ridge 154. The base member may have a corresponding cavity 160 having sides 162 each having a groove 164. The grooves 164 are adapted to receive the ridges 154 so as to retain the insert 150 within the cavity 160. The insert 150 has a weight selected to enable the user to utilize the device as a weight for performing additional exercises as are known. The insert 150 may have a weight such that the overall weight of the apparatus 10 with the insert 150 installed is twenty pounds by way of non-limiting example. It will be appreciated that other weights for the insert 150 and the apparatus may also be selected. It will also be appreciated that a plurality of different inserts 150 may be provided to enable the user to select their desired weight of the apparatus 10.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been described and illustrated, such embodiments should be considered illustrative of the invention only and not as limiting the invention as construed in accordance with the accompanying claims. 

1. An apparatus for assisting the movement of a user during exercise, the apparatus comprising: a base member; a support member having first and second ends, said support member being rotatably connected to said base member at said first end and being resiliently bendable between said first and second ends; and a lock for fixing said first end of said support member at a set angle relative to said base member at a locked angle, wherein said support member is adapted to resiliently bend when a force is applied thereto by a user.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said support member is rotatably connected to said base member about an axis of rotation.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising a shaft secured to one of said support member or said base member rotatable within a support block of the other of said support member or said base member for rotation about said axis.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said lock further comprises a clamp secured to said support block for selectively damping said shaft so as to prevent rotation between said base member and said support member.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said clamp comprises a plurality of flexible fingers surrounding said shaft being adapted to be biased into frictional contact with said shaft.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said plurality of flexible fingers are biased by a cam ring.
 7. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said clamp further comprises a compressible collar surrounding said shaft, said compressible collar having a tensioner adapted to shorten said compressible collar so as to grip said shaft.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said tensioner comprises a lever operated cam.
 9. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said compressible collar bears upon said plurality of flexible fingers.
 10. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said lock further comprises an indexed collar surrounding said shaft and rotatably fixed relative to one of said shaft or support block, said indexed collar being adapted to selectively engage a corresponding indexed surface secured to the other of said shaft or said support block.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said indexed collar is rotatably fixed relative to said support back.
 12. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said indexed collar comprises projections adapted to engage corresponding notches in said indexed surface.
 13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said support member comprises a cantilever spring adapted to support a portion of the body of the user.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said support member comprises a substantially planar member.
 15. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said support member has a substantially constant modulus of bending elasticity between said first and second ends.
 16. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said support member has a greater modulus of bending elasticity proximate to said first end.
 17. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said support member has a greater modulus of bending elasticity proximate to said second end.
 18. A method for assisting the movement of a user during exercise, the method comprising: providing a support member having first end and a second free end; rotatably orienting said support member at a first position such that said first end is fixed at an angle of inclination relative to horizontal; resiliently bending said support member between said first and second ends, such that said second end is oriented to a second position in response to receiving force applied by the user; and resiliently unbending said support member to said first position so as to assist in lifting the user to an initial position.
 19. The method of claim 18 further comprising rotatably fixing said support member relative to a base member with a lock. 